MCFRS News Release
Be Safe With Grills
Grilling out is great fun for the family, but there are several things you should know to ensure your activity is safe this summer season.
In Montgomery County, unless you live in a house, it is illegal to:
- Kindle or maintain charcoal burners and/or gas-fired grills on balconies or within 20 feet of any structure.
- Store liquid propane (LP) gas cylinders, within 20 feet of a multi-family residential building. Here are a few safety tips:
- Check grill hoses for brittleness, cracks, holes and leaks.
- Make sure there are no kinks or bends in the hose connected from the tank to the grill.
- Keep tanks upright.
- Do not store tanks or other flammable materials near a grill, indoors or in a heated area such as a vehicle trunk
- Do not use grills indoors, inside vehicles, tents or campers. Carbon monoxide fumes produced from grills are poisonous and potentially fatal.
Remember, when cooking out - ALWAYS open the hood before lighting the grill. ALWAYS keep the grill in a safe area away from children, pets and heavy people traffic where someone could bump into it. NEVER try to grill inside. Use caution if you grill on a deck attached to a house. It is best to grill 20 feet away from any structure. Grilling in an enclosed area such as the garage even with the door open can be very dangerous. Remember that Carbon Monoxide is being produced when anything burns, even gas grills.
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